[BC]

Wellington IC R3289 of 99 Sqn did indeed crash in the sea off Felixstowe at 0130 hours on 7 November 1940, but no balloon cables were involved. East Suffolk Police reported that the a/c was seen to pass over Felixstowe flying W - E and on fire in the air. Machine-gun fire was heard before the crash, but whether this was air-air or ground-air has not been established.

A balloon cable was however, involved in bringing down 99 Sqn Wellington IC T2997 after it blundered into the Harwich Harbour Balloon Barrage at 0120 hours on 21 April 1941 and fell in flames into the sea 3,000 yds offshore, again with the loss of all crew.

BC